On 18th Auguist 2009, Norwich City chief executive David McNally announced that Paul Lambert had left Colchester United to take charge at Norwich City on a rolling year contract. Lambert replaced Bryan Gunn who was sacked on 14th August 2009; partly due to a 7-1 home defeat to Lambert's Colchester United. Lambert brought with him assistant Ian Culverhouse and and football operations manager Gary Karsa

As a player, Lambert started at at Linwood Rangers Boys' Club in 1980, before entering the professional game with St. Mirren in 1985. As a 17 year old in 1987 with St Mirren, Lambert won his first Scottish Cup winner's medal. He played there for eight years before transferring to Motherwell in 1993.

In 1996, Lambert transferred to the German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund. He was well liked by the fans in Germany, and he contributed to the team's success in winning the 1997 UEFA Champions League final against Juventus in Munich on 28th May 1997. He became the first British player to win the European Cup with a non UK team, and the first British player to win the Champions League since its inception.

In November 1997, he was signed by Celtic for £2milion. During his time with Celtic, he won four SPL titles, two Scottish Cups, two CIS Insurance Cups and was captain of the side that reached the 2003 UEFA Cup Final in Seville.Whilst at Celtic, he first met David McNally. Lambert was also a Scotland international, winning 40 caps and scoring one goal,

After studying for football coaching qualifications in 2005, Lambert landed his first managerial job with Livingston on 1at June 2005. His tenure ended the following February when he resigned after only winning two league games since starting the job.

Lambert was appointed manager of English-team Wycombe Wanderers on 30 June 2006. He led Wycombe to the League Cup semi-finals after defeating Premier League sides Fulham and Charlton Athletic. The semi-final tie, against then Premier League champions Chelsea, saw Wycombe hold Chelsea to a 1–1 draw at Adams Park before losing the away leg. This was the first time in over 30 years a fourth tier team had reached that stage of the League Cup. He resigned as Wycombe manager on 20th May 2008 On 9th October 2008, he was appointed as manager of Colchester United succeeding Geraint Williams.

Norwich's impressive form under Lambert which saw them rise to top place in League One saw him win Manager of the Month awards for both December 2009 and January 2010 (during which Norwich won 6 games out of 6). Norwich won the League One title, finishing on 95pts and Lambert was named the League One manager of the season

After a tribunal ruled that Norwich had to pay Colchester £425,000 in compensation plus a £75,000 fine, Lambert signed a new contract with Norwich on 1st June 2010, as did assistants Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa.